Parents gunning for creative baby names might be missing the mark with these.
There’s a rise in “aggressive,” “weapons-inspired” names for boys, Nameberry editor-in-chief Sophie Kihm claims, with monikers such as Wesson, Caliber, Shooter and Trigger popping up in recent years.
“It’s rare for me to outright reject a name or name trend, but I cannot get behind weapon-inspired names,” Kihm told HuffPost, saying they “glamorize violence.”
Names such as Colt, Ruger, Winchester, Remington, Blade and Cannon are names that have been in circulation in recent years, according to HuffPost, which cited data from the Social Security Administration.
“That initial wave of names borrowed from gun manufacturers has probably peaked, but we’re still hearing plenty of choices in this category,” Abby Sandel, the founder of the blog Appellation Mountain, told the outlet.
“The most popular names now are a little more subtle. Archer once referred to a soldier who fought with a bow, but it sounds preppy and polished in 2025. Likewise, Barrett is a sophisticated surname that also happens to be a firearms manufacturer.”
According to Kihm, parents who choose these names might think the monikers are associated with desirable traits they want to bestow on to their kids.
“There’s a certain set of parents that believe weapons-inspired names have a renegade spirit, which has been a rising theme among today’s trendy baby names,” Kihm explained.
“Maverick ranks higher than ever, and cowboy-style names like Dutton, Stetson and Boone are climbing the charts.”
Names inspired by or related to weaponry could also “convey masculinity without being traditional male names,” she continued.
“They are at once undeniably masculine and extremely modern,” she said. “We associate weapons with men and masculinity, so these parents might have more conservative values around gender.”
Jennifer Moss, the founder of BabyNames.com, told HuffPost that the names “might be a reaction to the fear that their son might have less-than-masculine traits.” Parents who use these monikers “traditionally associated with aggression or strength,” then, might be “hoping to instill those characteristics into their male offspring.”
“I find the weapon names particularly alarming because it’s tying your child to an instrument of destruction or death ― or at the least a word that’s associated with violence,” Moss continued.
Not to mention, there is the “stylish” trend of “last names as first names,” Kihm added.
“Popular last names as first names include Carter, Parker and Hunter — itself somewhat aggressive ― which match weapon names like Shooter, Trigger and Dagger, with the two syllables and ‘er’ endings,” she said.
While not all names that could be associated with weapons carry such a heavy connotation, Sandel offered, explaining that Remington or Archer are more mild compared to Gatlin or Gunner, while Beretta “crosses a line.”
“Another reason not to use a name with an immediately identifiable meaning is that it can become a joke,” Moss warned. “People’s first response might be to laugh at it, or assume that you do belong to a particular culture that favors weaponry or violence. It comes with baggage.”
She also reminded expecting parents to vet names carefully before settling on one.
“We recommend that when choosing baby names, check your personal fears and biases before you instill them into your baby’s name,” she said.
“As most parents come to realize, our expectations for our child don’t necessarily align with the child’s individual identity. Give your child a name that evokes positivity, that will grow with them and they can make their own instead of conforming to your expectations.”
